COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Friday, June 19, 2026

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor W. Carey

Amendment 2 - Adamstown West

Motion: This Council agrees to insert a new point 3i in CS7 SLO4 to read:

'The masterplan should include provision for a vehicular bridge across the rail line at a location as deemed appropriate during the master planning process.'

Reason: To improve transport access from Adamstown West to the adjoining lands to the south of the rail line Proposed by, Cllr Carey, Dunne, Whelan & Mannion

CE Response:

This motion seeks to amend point 3 of the SLO of Adamstown SDZ West of the proposed Variation to insert (as per below recommendation): 

3 i 'The masterplan should include provision for a vehicular bridge across the rail line at a location as deemed appropriate during the master planning process.'   

 

Context and Process   

The NPF Implementation Guidelines requires Councils to identify the lands needed for delivery of the new targets within the Development Plan period. They also included the need for Councils to consider capacity for up to 50% above the baseline housing growth requirements to provide options for delivery.   

The Settlement Capacity Audit (SCA) presented to Councillors in October 2025, indicated that by the end of 2028 the current zoned land in the county could deliver 9,613 dwellings based on a business-as-usual model. The NPF Revised baseline housing target for the county to 2028 is 11,699 dwellings, resulting in an identified shortfall of lands to deliver 2,086 units.  

Following the full review process Variation No. 2 identifies lands which significantly increase the capacity of the county to deliver the baseline target of 11,699 units to 2028 through providing an additional 156.5 hectares with an equivalent potential for 7,324 dwellings. In total this provides capacity for 16,937 units which incorporates c. 45% additional provision over the baseline requirement.  

  

NPF Objectives: Compact Growth and TOD    

The approach taken by the Planning Authority is directly aligned with key policies underpinning the sustainable policy approach within the National Planning Framework (NPF). This approach places a strong emphasis on compact growth and Transport Orientated Development (TOD). In particular, National Policy Objectives 10, 97 and 99 support the delivery of residential development at appropriate locations within or adjacent to the existing urban footprint, focused on areas served by existing or planned high-capacity public transport. 

The process therefore aligns with national policy which requires that planning authorities plan proactively for future growth, including the identification of lands that may contribute to housing delivery within the lifetime of the Development Plan and beyond. 

 

Future Connections   

The SLO as part of the proposed Variation requires a traffic and transport assessment informing the masterplan for the lands as follows:   

A masterplan for the lands, integrated with the existing parameters of the Adamstown SDZ Planning Scheme, shall be prepared by the planning authority or in consultation with, and approved by, the planning authority in advance of the submission of a planning application for residential development on the subject lands. Having regard to the cumulative development potential around and including the subject lands, the masterplan shall be informed by and address, 

And  

Provision for future infrastructure and access connections to lands to the south and west, including reservation for a future vehicular bridge over the railway line, unless determined otherwise in writing by the planning authority. 

This is further supplemented by the requirement Transport and Traffic Assessment detailing the impact of the proposed development and measures to alleviate its impact, in addition to understand the requirements for futures connections and integration with SDZ and wider surrounding lands. 

The SLO sets out a clear and structured requirement for future infrastructure access connections to lands to the south and west within the existing wording SLO, as well as a reservation for a future vehicular bridge over the railway line, as required, unless determined otherwise in writing by the planning authority. 

Therefore, it is considered that the SLO is appropriately and adequately worded as currently recommended and that no change be made as sufficient provision exists within the existing wording to establish a clear understanding of the future needs for the proposed variation lands, whilst taking into account the surrounding context and access requirements over the railway line.

Conclusion  

The NPF Implementation Guidelines requires Councils to identify the lands needed for delivery of the new targets within the Development Plan period. They also included the need for Councils to consider capacity for up to 50% above the baseline housing growth requirements to provide options for delivery.  

Given the approach taken to the Variation, it is considered that South Dublin has clearly identified sufficient and suitable zoned land, including the Adamstown SDZ West, to meet the housing shortfall for 2028 with built-in additional capacity consistent with the achievement of the shared goals in the NPF, RSES and County Development Plan in relation to compact growth, accessibility, sustainable mobility and climate action.  

Adamstown SDZ West is well located to deliver on the requirement to meet the new housing targets and provide for national policy on compact growth.   

It is considered that the wording of the recommended SLO is adequate and covers the items in motion, including a masterplan and connections/vehicular bridge, as required.  

It is recommended that this motion is rejected. 

It is noted that the OPR has recommended progression of the Variation amendments 1-16. 

 

CE Recommendation 

No change recommended, motion content in the proposed variation 

A masterplan for the lands, integrated with the existing parameters of the Adamstown SDZ Planning Scheme, shall be prepared by the planning authority or in consultation with, and approved by, the planning authority in advance of the submission of a planning application for residential development on the subject lands. Having regard to the cumulative development potential around and including the subject lands, the masterplan shall be informed by and address, 

And  

Provision for future infrastructure and access connections to lands to the south and west, including reservation for a future vehicular bridge over the railway line, unless determined otherwise in writing by the planning authority